more power than can ever be used on American highways (or European, Asian, or Australian roadways). Few drivers are even capable of achieving its top speed of 220 m.p.h. on a track or abandoned airstrip. With a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds, the ZR1 eats up on ramps and makes passing a mere flick of your foot on the accelerator.

There is an element of this car that absolutely trumps its power--as difficult as that may be to believe. And that would be its handling. Over the years, some magnificent sports cars that demonstrate amazing handling have graced my driveway. Topping the list would be the Acura NSX that devoured corners and the Audi R8 that was a close second.

In third place is the ZR1. As my co-pilot commented on a spirited romp through curvy back roads in New England, "We're moving and the car isn't." In other words, the ZR1 seemed to be keeping a straight line while we were moved right and left as we twisted our way through zigzag curves.

That strong handling comes courtesy of the standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control that is tuned specifically for the ZR1.

The independent front and rear suspensions have nearly instantaneous damping adjustments that deliver cornering grip of more than 1g. The heads-up display shows your g-force as you pull through corners--and makes you want to keep pushing that number higher.

I've exceeded the 1g number on a different Corvette on the infield track at Pocono Raceway. I only wonder what I could have done with the ZR1. Alas, Mother Nature literally rained on my parade during a track day in September.

Even with great handling, you occasionally need to mash the brakes--and the ZR1 does not lack for stopping power. It features Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic silicon carbide material. Chevrolet says they are "found on only a few exotics and more expensive super cars," somehow overlooking the fact